Chemically Treated Sheets May Cause Insomnia

One of the most surprising discoveries I've made while researching toxic chemicals in household products is that symptoms associated with formaldehyde exposure include tiredness and insomnia.

Being a long-time insomniac, I went looking for formaldehyde exposures and found a big one right in my bed. The sheets I was sleeping on had a formaldehyde-based permanent press finish that was emitting formaldehyde. I immediately sought a set of untreated cotton sheets (not easy in 1980), put them on my bed and have slept well ever since.

Formaldehyde finish
Even particleboard—which emits the same formaldehyde—is legally required to carry labels warning of skin and eye irritation, but textiles we sleep on require no warning labels at all.

Formaldehyde resin finishes are used on clothing, bedding and textile products of all kinds to keep fabrics wrinkle-free. During the manufacturing process, it's applied in such a way that it becomes a permanent part of the fiber and continues to release fumes for the life of the fabric.

Newly processed textile products release formaldehyde fumes at levels of 800 to 1000 parts per million. Repeated washings can lower levels to 100 parts per million but formaldehyde continues to be released as the resin breaks down through washing, ironing and wear, so it's best to avoid these finishes altogether.

Fabrics treated with formaldehyde resins are not required by law to be labeled as such; however, they're usually easy to spot. Look for the terms "crease resistant," "permanent pressed," "durable pressed," "no-iron," "shrink proof," "stretch proof," "water repellant," "waterproof," or "permanently pleated" on labels.

Even if not stated on the label, virtually all polyester/cotton blend fabrics have formaldehyde finishes. Polyester/cotton bed linens have a particularly heavy chemical finish to last through daily use and frequent laundering.

Other symptoms associated with formaldehyde exposure include headaches, respiratory problems, coughing, watery eyes and excessive thirst. Exposure can also aggravate asthma attacks, and skin contact can result in mild to severe skin rash.

Sheet shopping
Fortunately, it's much easier today to find a variety of stylish bed linens without a formaldehyde finish.

First, look for natural fibers instead of polyester/cotton. Cotton sheets come in three varieties: percale, flannel and knit. Linen sheets are another option, but very expensive.

• Cotton percale wrinkles easily, so many sheets are treated with formaldehyde. Check labels carefully and avoid those reading "easy care 100 percent cotton" or "no-iron 100 percent cotton" as they have formaldehyde finishes. Most major manufacturers now make untreated, natural color, cotton bed linens. These attributes are clearly stated on the label. They can require ironing but if you put them on the bed right after they come out of the dryer, wrinkles are minimal.

• Cotton flannel sheets do not have formaldehyde finishes. Some are labeled "no-iron" but don't be concerned about this: There's no need to iron flannel sheets because of the weave of the fabric, not because it has been treated. Plus, they're warm in winter and cool in summer.

• Cotton knits are just like T-shirts for your bed, and cotton knit fabrics don't generally have formaldehyde finishes.

With all the choices available today, there's no need to sleep in a cloud of formaldehyde or take sleeping pills. Get yourself a set of untreated cotton sheets and sleep well.